CNN Special on Killer Whales

[nitehawk]

I will never go to seaworld again --- thanks CNN for exposing seaworld

[Challenger]

I will never go to seaworld again --- thanks CNN for exposing seaworld

Nor will I

[graciegirl]

Nor will I


Tell us the gist of it.

[Halle]

Very sad how the Orca whales are treated, I too will never go to Seaworld.

[Taltarzac725]

SeaWorld appeal could force taming of its popular orca shows after trainer's death | Reuters (http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/29/us-usa-employment-tilikum-idUSBRE99S0FE20131029)

[Golfingnut]

I would eliminate zoo's also. Mans cruelty is far reaching.

[Taltarzac725]

I would eliminate zoo's also. Mans cruelty is far reaching.

Actually some animals do quite well in zoos. A lot better than they would out in the wild. http://www.mnzoo.com/animals/animals_careenrich.asp

http://animal.discovery.com/animal-facts/zoos-good-or-bad1.htm

[BarryRX]

Gracie, A few years ago there was an excellent book called "A Death At Seaworld - Shamu and the Dark Side of Killer Whales". It is about the intelligence of Orcas and how cruel it is to keep them in what is basically a very large, sterile swimming pool. But more than that, it is the story of how these Orcas have caused injuries and deaths to their handlers and how Sea World tries to hide these occurrences not only from the public but also from those that work with the Orcas. The premise of the book is that there is no real research being done anymore on these mammals and the only reason that Sea World keeps them is because they produce revenue for the parks, and to keep that revenue flowing they put people and intelligent, self-aware animals at risk. I have not seen the CNN special, but I can only assume it is the same subject matter.

[shcisamax]

It was incredibly well done. Fellow trainers speaking out about how it was just way wrong but too much money to be made. I am pleased when these programs run because it begins to enlighten people on the back story. We enjoy the beauty and joy of animals without thinking about the actual detriment to the species.

[shcisamax]

I would eliminate zoo's also. Mans cruelty is far reaching.

There is a movement to design zoos as closely as possible to wild habitats e.g. The San Diego Zoo. This is far better than sticking them in cages. Let's face it, even humans stuck in a cage for years is not a well adjusted and easy going companion.

[Barefoot]

It was incredibly well done. Fellow trainers speaking out about how it was just way wrong but too much money to be made. I am pleased when these programs run because it begins to enlighten people on the back story. We enjoy the beauty and joy of animals without thinking about the actual detriment to the species.

I agree. How could anyone think that animals enjoy walking on tight ropes or balancing on tires or being in rodeos?

[jpharmat]

The comments are all well and good, but how about factory farmed animals for food?? Watch any slaughterhouse videos and see how meat is produced... Do you believe that animals raised for food are treated well???... just saying...

[CFrance]

Zoos are influential in preserving endangered species. Sea World is exploiting the killer whales for monetary gain. This was a very disturbing documentary. The lengths that Sea World goes to to capture baby dolphins (smaller and cheaper to transport), separating them from their mothers, was horrendous. And after the northwest coast of the US kicked them out of their area for their horrible practices, they just went to other places in other countries not so concerned with preservation.

I would never have gone to Sea World, nor any of the places where one can swim with the captured dolphins.

CNN has nothing to do with it, IMO.

[GaryW]

Go to this link,, or check out CNN and watch it the the next time they air BLACKFISH.

'Blackfish' sparks debate over taking kids to SeaWorld, zoos - CNN.com (http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/24/living/parents-blackfish-kids-seaworld-zoos/)

BLACKFISH Hitting the Waves on CNN | The Orca Project (http://theorcaproject.wordpress.com/2013/10/24/blackfish-cnn/)

I can believe how Seaworld blamed it on the trainer. No Seaworld for me. Orca's are very smart and emotional. That was a great documentary.

[Taltarzac725]

Go to this link,, or check out CNN and watch it the the next time they air BLACKFISH.

'Blackfish' sparks debate over taking kids to SeaWorld, zoos - CNN.com (http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/24/living/parents-blackfish-kids-seaworld-zoos/)

BLACKFISH Hitting the Waves on CNN | The Orca Project (http://theorcaproject.wordpress.com/2013/10/24/blackfish-cnn/)

I can believe how Seaworld blamed it on the trainer. No Seaworld for me. Orca's are very smart and emotional. That was a great documentary.

I read a book lately about zoos and how some of them really give a good life for animals as they are not prey for many others and also have their own territory which is quite important. Some animals spend all their time looking for food and water in the wild and have little time for anything but survival.

This could have been Life of Pi but could also have been some other book.